The “Kashiwanoha Smart City Project” presents three models for resolving issues, aimed at autonomous urban management through energy optimization and control at the regional level as well as coexistence with nature, forming of communities for mutual local support and learning, establishment of a next-generation transportation system, creation of healthy and comfortable living, etc. The Project advances urban development approached in a comprehensive manner from both the building facilities and building operations aspects.

Urban development of a next-generation city has been advanced through partnership among the public sector, private sector and academia based on the concept of “development of an urban area that supports the environment, healthy living, creativity and communication” in the Kashiwanoha Campus area of Kashiwa City, Chiba.
In July 2011, with further reinforcement of initiatives to date, the “Kashiwanoha Smart City Project” aiming for “An Urban Model for Our Future” kicked into gear. Positioning an urban area presenting leading models for resolving environmental issues, super-aging society, economic stagnation and other social issues as a “smart city,” the Project presents three models for resolving issues: “an environmental-symbiotic city,” “a city of health and longevity” and “a city of new industry creation.” Autonomous urban development through partnership among the public sector, private sector and academia is being advanced based on a flat platform that enables anyone, including universities, companies and citizens, to participate in urban development. There already being many initiatives undertaken as a result of initiatives to date is a major characteristic of the Project.
The Mitsui Fudosan Group is advancing specific initiatives for realization of a smart city as a “private sector” participant in such urban development.

* In December 2011, the entire Kashiwa City area, centering on the Kashiwanoha Campus area, was selected as an “Environmental Future City” and a “Comprehensive Special Zone for Regional Revitalization” by the Cabinet Office.

The Project conducts networking and optimal management by organizing energy creation, energy conservation and energy storage facilities as well as a next-generation transportation system, etc., along with linking various energy management systems, based on urban infrastructure in harmony with the environment that makes the most of the natural environment unique to Kashiwanoha. Furthermore, the Project works to also create a variety of communities to support sustainable living.

LED illumination and other highly-efficient energy conservation equipment, solar power generation, wind power generation, sodium-sulfur (NAS) battery, etc. have been introduced at “LaLaport Kashiwanoha,” “Park City Kashiwanoha Campus Ichibangai/Nibangai,” etc.
At the “Station-Front Mixed-Use District,” which is slated for completion in spring 2014, along with utilizing several types of energy, also thoroughly utilized are solar heat, geothermal heat and other unused energy. Among other things adopted is passive design utilizing natural energy.

“Kashiwanoha Smart City” is an urban area where various functions are concentrated in a compact manner, including retail properties, for-sale condominiums, office buildings, hotels, rental housing, hospitals and research facilities. Connecting buildings with these different functions via an energy network in pursuit of optimization of energy use is a major characteristic of the Project.
At an existing building “Park City Kashiwanoha Campus Ichibangai,” a monitor that converts water, electricity and gas consumption into CO2 emissions for visualization is installed at each residential unit. Including also at “LaLaport Kashiwanoha,” centralized visualization of the status of energy use per building is realized.
At the “Station-Front Mixed-Use District,” which is slated for completion in spring 2014, a Home Energy Management System (HEMS) for management of energy consumption, etc. at each residential unit through visualization is adopted at hotels and residential properties and a Building Energy Management System (BEMS) is adopted at office buildings, retail properties, etc. Furthermore, an Area Energy Management System (AEMS) is newly established in pursuit of optimization of energy use throughout the entire district. In addition, through networking beyond the district with adjacent “LaLaport Kashiwanoha,” “Park City Kashiwanoha Campus Ichibangai/Nibangai,” etc., the Project aims to establish a network for optimization of energy use throughout the entire “Kashiwanoha Smart City” in the future.

AEMS is also useful for regional disaster countermeasures.
Providing multiple energy sources and networking the entire area enables energy to be supplied to where it is necessary in the event of a disaster, thereby realizing safety and security of the entire area.

Conceptual diagram of Area Energy Management System (AEMS)*AEMS:Area Energy Management System

Multi-Vehicle Sharing

Demonstration experiments are underway in the area for “Multi-Vehicle Sharing,” which offers electric vehicles, electric bikes and bicycles to be freely shared in an aim for CO2 reduction and efficient energy use when travelling short distances from the station.

Rental Plot for Farming Experience in Front of Station

A rental plot for people wanting to experience farming was opened in front of the station (within “Oak Village Kashiwanoha”). This is a facility where people can experience living that values “food and agriculture” in the center of the city.

In the realization of a smart city, the awareness and actions of the people living there are important keys.
At “Kashiwanoha Smart City,” urban development involving the participation of local residents has been underway from the start to create opportunities and systems in which everyone can participate with enjoyment.
Concerning energy conservation and CO2 reduction, too, various initiatives are launched to help boost the motivation to conserve energy and reduce CO2, including not only installing a CO2 visualization monitor at each residential unit (about 400 households), but also displaying standard households' energy consumption and energy conservation ranking, giving eco points that can be used at “LaLaport Kashiwanoha” to those at the top of the ranking, a system for energy conservation and CO2 reduction certification and trading (“Kashiwa White Certification”) and “Kashiwanoha Eco Club” that facilitates eco activities while exchanging information among residents.
Plans are to keep increasing residential units installed with HEMS in phases and enrich systems as an area on the whole.

·Visualization of electricity,gas and water consumption
·Promote energy conservation withenjoyment through rankingfunction, etc.

CO2visualization monitor (HEMS)

“Kashiwanoha Eco Club”

“Kashiwa White Certification”

Aiming to create a new Japanese-style healthy lifestyle so that all generations can continue to lead a healthy and fulfilling life, the Project combines “Happappa Exercise,” “Totsubo Gym” and a variety of other contents offering enjoyable healthy life experiences based on “health promotion” and “prevention” as keywords to encourage all generations to take the initiative to be active.
In addition, the establishment of a “platform for promoting cooperative social activities” and “total healthcare station” is underway as a system designed to foster the described comprehensive health promotion environment, in which the Mitsui Fudosan Group serves the role of coordination with medical institutions, etc.

Conceptual diagram of “a city of health and longevity”

This initiative aims to establish a system that offers energetic senior citizens ways to contribute to the society, such as offering energetic senior citizens ways to engage in “work that is motivating” and serve as “citizens' health supporters” by applying their expert knowledge.

This initiative aims to establish a “total healthcare station,” a center providing comprehensive health services ranging from disease prevention to health promotion through collaboration of medical and dental specialists.

The “TX Entrepreneurs Belt,” which is comprised of areas along the Tsukuba Express, where the “Kashiwanoha Smart City” is located is “a city of new industry creation” home to a concentration of various academic/research institutions and incubation facilities. The Belt's potential will be put to use in pursuing the creation of new industries unique to Kashiwanoha, along with stimulating sustainable growth of the Japanese economy.

“TX Entrepreneur Partners” (TEP), which was established in November 2009, nurtures and supports entrepreneurs and startup companies.
TEP is advancing the establishment of a framework for community-based sustainable startup support as Japan's only startup company support community formed through partnership among local universities, research institutions, local government, private companies and individual investors. TEP provides support not only in terms of capital, but also management know-how, thereby supporting the sound growth of startup companies that have little management experience.

“Asian Entrepreneurship Award 2012” (hosted by Future Design Center Incorporated Association and co-hosted by Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd.), which brings together young Asian entrepreneurs, was held at Kashiwanoha in May 2012.
The Award is held as part of an innovation creating project led by Japan in collaboration with other Asian countries, in an effort to create a big network for entrepreneurship development attracting mentors and venture capital from Asia and the world.

Presents the various cultural activities and public relations activities of Mitsui Group companies.